Some people love dressing up their dog, others think its a ridiculous notion, but it can be very practical. For dogs with skin disease, clothing can be helpful protection against topical allergens and reduce self trauma due to licking or biting. It can also keep dogs comfortable and warm in winter – especially after a groom. Clothing can be practical, such as rain coats and parkers, or just plain decorative (we have a few clients who have bought doggy tuxedos so their dogs can be included in their wedding […]
Now that the cold weather is well and truly upon us, we need to take a moment to consider our pets and what we can do to make their lives a little more comfortable. Our pets can’t throw on a jumper when they get cold and many species originated in warmer climates possessing shorter hair, meaning they are less equipped to deal with cold weather. Some things to think about are: Ensure your pet has somewhere warm to sleep. Make sure your pet has decent bedding to help retain […]
Holle was a 2.5 kg dog that was brought into Sydney Animal Hospitals experiencing trouble giving birth. She was taken in for x-rays and the it turned out that the reason she was having such trouble was that her puppy weighed 110g, far too large for her to deliver naturally. Dr Sam Haynes successfully performed a ceasarian on Holle, and her new baby puppy was born. Holle has since recovered and her little puppy, appropriately named Goliath, is perfectly happy and healthy.
A couple of years ago we operated on Cleo, a tiny nine-week-old chihuahua, who was brought into our Inner West vet hospital in Sydney with a severe limp in her right foreleg. Upon a closer examination we discovered that Cleo had swelling from the carpus (wrist) down and we suspected she had injured her paw by jumping off a bed. We advised X-rays to be taken. It turns out that Cleo had fractured all her metacarpal (front paw) bones – the long bones in the X-ray. We applied a cast […]
The guinea pig boar above, Willis, bought his friend Julio along for company. When you bring “pocket pets” into the vet, it’s always a good idea to bring along a friend to help keep them company. Pocket pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits are typically herd animals, and benefit from being surrounded by friends and family, especially if they are in a new environment like a veterinary practice. This can help keep them calm and aid recovery.
While cat fights are fairly common, its a good idea to try and keep your cat out of trouble, as even a relatively mild injury can become infected and form an abscess. If your cat has been in a fight and has clear marks of animal bites, ensure you make an appointment with your local vet to get them looked at. If you see your cat in a fight with another strange cat, it’s important to be very careful in breaking it up, as you can quite easily get […]
Earlier on this month I was honoured to launch Feline Friends: Tales from the heart, a book put together by the Cat Protection Society of NSW(CPS), a charity based on Enmore Road in Newtown, Sydney. A number of Sydney Animal Hospitals’ clients and patients contributed to this beautiful collection of photos, essays, illustrations and tales about cats and their humans. It has been amazing to learn and see what our patients get up to when they are on home turf and it was fantastic to catch up with contributors and […]
Grooming your cat can be a difficult task at the best of times. Cats are far more solitary than dogs and as such, can become highly distressed during a standard groom or clip. There is also a risk of injuring your cat when grooming at home as the skin on a cats body, especially around the belly, is very loose and can sometimes be hard to see in amongst the hair. What are the medical benefits of cat grooming? Our professional groomers are trained to check your cats skin, […]
If you notice your pet is scratching excessively, experiencing sensitivity to touch or has visibly red, swollen or irritated skin then it is best to consult your vet. Our experienced groomers are trained in the identification of potential skin conditions and will always let you know if there may be a need for a further consultation by your vet. The vet will review your pet’s medical history and perform a physical exam and diagnostic test to determine the symptoms your pet is displaying. These may include: Skin biopsy Ringworm test […]